“I prefer to play in England” – Watford star makes it clear he won’t be returning home

Surprising everyone by scoring four goals and bagging an assist in his first five games of the season for Watford, Etienne Capoue has calmed down a bit, returning to his usual self as a more defensive midfielder.

Fielded there against Manchester United at the weekend, the 28-year-old was unable to stop José Mourinho’s side securing a 2-0 win at Old Trafford, leaving Watford 10th in the table.

Transferring to the Hornets back in 2015, Capoue first arrived in the Premier League from Toulouse when Tottenham decided to spend £9.4m on him in 2013 during the same summer Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela arrived at the club.

Having been with Toulouse since 2005, playing in England had been a dream of Capoue’s, and, speaking to So Foot in France, the Watford midfielder explained he wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon.

He said: “A return to France? No, no way! For me, football is English. The likes of Monaco or Paris won’t come for me. Don’t say that… Marseille? No, I prefer to play in England. The emotions we have here, you don’t get them in France, not even at Marseille.”

Were the Ligue 1 side to declare their interest in the Watford star, it would be their second attempt at acquiring his services, having already tried to do so during his time in Toulouse.

Capoue has scored five goals and picked up one assist in 27 appearances in all competitions this season.